The thesis is concerned with the study of the economics of venison
production in Scotland. It examines the various production systems
utilised at present both in the wild and on an intensive farm and
analyses the factors affecting productivity and their relative
importance in each system.
The evolution of the red deer in Scotland and more recent developments
in the market for venison are examined in the early chapters. In
addition, the production system in the wild is analysed and a production
function is developed. In order to study the population dynamics of the
red deer, a mathematical model is constructed. This is used in conjunction
with the production function developed previously to illustrate
the interaction between the ecological and economic factors which govern
the productivity of red deer populations. In the light of this analysis,
a number of recommendations are made for the improvement of productivity
in the wild. The limitations of this production system, however, pose
a problem for the practical implementation of such proposals. To some
extent, these may be overcome by the adoption of a more intensive production
system, although this in turn creates its own problems.
The second part of this thesis is thus concerned with the study of the
intensive system. The experimental deer farm at Glensaugh forms the
basis f~ the investigation of this system. The data thus obtained are
used in conjunction with a modified version of the mathematical model
previously developed. This is incorporated in a linear programming
format so that the farming system may be analysed and the operating
strategies compared. The objective of the analysis is to determine which
factors exert the greatest influence upon the operating strategies in
terms of operating profit. Once these critical areas are identified,
research effort may be directed more effectively to improve the system
performance.
The above analysis leads to a number of recommendations regarding' the
operating strategies on a deer farm. The financial aspects of such an
operation are examined and provide some basis against which the future
viability of the farming operation might be assessed. No attempt is
made to define levels of acceptable returns on investment. The intention
is rather to determine the effects which changes in the economic
and environmental conditions have upon investment potential.
Although this study provides some tentative solutions as to how improvements
in productivity may be obtained these should not be regarded as
final. As knowledge of the production system improves, the solutions
to the problems will change as will the problems themselves.

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